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By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 5/31/15
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Syosset scored 11 of the game’s last 12 goals and Mac O’Keefe tallied four goals and one assist to key a 14-8 victory over Smithtown East Saturday in the Class A Long Island Championship game at Stony Brook University.
Syosset celebrates the Long Island Class A championship
Syosset (18-1), of Section 8 and the No. 4 team in the Epoch Lacrosse Rankings, will play Niskayuna in the semifinals Wednesday at 5:30 at Middletown High School. Niskayuna, the Section 2 champ, advanced with a 16-13 win over Mamaroneck.
“We came into the game knowing we had unfinished business,” said O’Keefe. “We all wanted more. It is a surreal feeling to have this win.
“Our defense is known for coming out in the third quarter and shutting teams down. We will carry this momentum into the next round and hopefully we will take it all the way.”
Smithtown East (18-2) had taken a 7-3 lead midway through the second period with a 4-0 run. But the Braves trailed only 8-7 at halftime and then completely dominated the second half when they outscored the Bulls, 7-0.
Mac O’Keefe
Jonathan Klobus grabbed eight saves and Alex Concannon and Lucas Cotler tallied three goals and one assist each for Syosset.
“This was a great game, really well played,” said Klobus. “This was a team effort. Our offense really stepped up. Our defense held it together in the second half and that is the reason we won the game. Shutting them down in the second half allowed our offense to move the ball around and score. This feels amazing.”
Sean Turner grabbed 10 saves, John Daniggelis tallied three goals and Brian Willets tallied two goals and one assist for Smithtown East.
Syosset’s post-season also included a stunning 17-8 win over No. 2, previously undefeated and defending state champion Massapequa in the Nassau County final.
“To win a Long Island Championship by getting through Massapequa and Smithtown East is phenomenal,” said Syosset head coach John Calabria. “These were two great teams.
“Our kids just really stepped up and executed. They put our team in a situation where we could come out on top. Our offense has won us a lot of games but against Massapequa and Smithtown East the defense really won those championships.
Jonathan Klobus
“We are just so proud of our guys. We feel pretty good we just beat two of the best teams in the country. So we will see what the upstate guys know and go from there.”
Syosset 14, Smithtown East 8
Syosset 3 4 2 5 -14
Smithtown East 3 5 0 0 -8
S: Mac O’Keefe 4G, 1A; Alex Concannon 3G, 1A; Lucas Cotler 3G, 1A; Nicholas Hatzipetrakos 2G, 1A; JP Lannig 1G; Michael Hatzopoulos 1G; Michael Elardo 2A; Alex Giovinco 1A
SE: John Daniggelis 3G; Brian Willets 2G, 1A; Connor Desimone 2G; Dan Rooney 1G
Saves: Jonathan Klobus (S) 8; Sean Turner (SE) 10
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